Chinese water bottler Cloud Ocean Water has been granted consent to take water from a deeper bore on its property in Christchurch.
Independent commissioner Richard Fowler QC released a decision today to not seek the public's views on an application by Cloud Ocean Water Limited and also to grant it.
The decision relied on expert evidence, which found that the effects on the environment would be no more than minor.
The company is already drawing from a shallower bore on the site, which was the formerly the Kaputone wool scour.
Environment Canterbury general counsel Catherine Schache said the decision didn't change the volume or rate of the take Cloud Ocean already holds a consent for.
The council is looking into matters relating to the resource management act and building act at the Chinese-owned Cloud Ocean Water site. (Source: Other)
"We know this will be a frustrating decision for members of the public who wanted to have their say on this application. The Resource Management Act allows for consents to be publicly notified so people can present their views but only in certain circumstances, and this wasn't the case with this application,” she said.
"This application has nothing to do with the Christchurch City Council's calls for people to conserve water, the chlorination of water or the Council's ability to secure future drinking water supply."
Members of the public and some within the Christchurch City Council had suggested drawing from the deeper bore could endanger the safety of Christchurch’s drinking water supply.
A court challenge is also to be heard, claiming Environment Canterbury is breaking its own rules. (Source: Other)
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